Historic Campbellton Park expands as development in South Fulton County continues

CHATTAHOOCHEE HILLS, Ga. — Along the banks of the Chattahoochee River sits the city of Chattahoochee Hills. It’s about 30 miles from the city of Atlanta. Mayor Elect Camille Lowe said she wants the city nestled in nature to be more accessible to everyone.

“A lot of cities don’t have this access to the river. This is very unique,” Lowe said. “We’ve had a long history of preservation in this community. We have a lot of land compared to our neighbors. We have not expanded as quickly. It’s been really a slow growth process. It’s a family-oriented small town with big ideas.”

Christine Hassell, director of capital projects with the Chattahoochee program for the Trust for Public Land, said the $2.5 million expansion of Campbellton Park, from 18 acres to 95 acres, falls in line with other development in the area. A combination of public-private funding featuring the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship program grant helped make it possible. Hassell said historically, there had been a lack of investment over the years in public parks.

With birds’ nests overhead, new trails on the ground and history around every corner, Hassell said the goal is to connect one million people in the span of about 50 miles from Atlanta to the Alabama state line via the camp and paddle trail. The Trust for Public Land, city of Chattahoochee Hills and Georgia Department of Natural Resources built amenities that opened earlier this year as part of that initiative. 

“There’s MARTA bus rapid transit, they’re revitalizing some businesses in the area, and the expansion at Campbellton Park is an important piece of infrastructure for this community,” Hassell said. “It’s important for these neighbors and residents to be able to access nature.”

Hassell said the ability to abide in nature fosters peace and calm, and parks also serve as gathering spots where a community can come together.

“In such a divisive world, people are isolated from each other,” Hassell said. “These spaces spark hope, build community and that’s really what we’re trying to do, provide an essential need to residents and to folks no matter your age, zip code or ability.”

As Lowe prepares to take office in January, she said she would work with the Chattahoochee Hills city council to preserve those spaces and what makes this community stand out.

“The idea’s been to make sure we keep a nice balance between nature, development, and residential rural,” Lowe said. “We have a lot of pressures from, as you can see around us, and drive through and get into Chattahoochee Hills. We’ve maintained what our plan has been, which is improving our parks, expanding our parks.”